Mixed Messages

In the penultimate game of their World Cup preparation programme, England won 3-1 against a well-organised Hungarian side who currently languish in the mid-70s according to FIFA’s rankings.

At this stage, any victory is good for morale, but once again it was an uneven performance in which several encouraging signs were counterbalanced by some disturbing indications.

High on the list of positives is David Beckham’s display, which underlined the fact that when it comes to free kicks and crosses, there is no-one in the world to touch him. He set up chances for Michael Owen (saved), Steven Gerrard (England’s opener), John Terry (his first goal for England) and Joe Cole (hit post) and throughout the game he demonstrated the range and vision of his passing.

Then there was the ‘new’ formation, in which Jamie Carragher excelled in the anchor midfield role, winning all his challenges and distributing the ball simply and accurately before he moved to right back to replace Gary Neville – a substitution which allowed Owen Hargreaves to reinforce the impression that, however highly the manager seems to rate him, the consensus view is that he is extremely fortunate to be there.

At the sharp end of the diamond, Steven Gerrard played as he does for his club, with the kind of freedom, exuberance and energy which have hitherto been absent from his England displays – a marked contrast to more restrained performances from Joe Cole (who set up Peter Crouch for England’s third) and Frank Lampard (who missed a penalty).

In front of Gerrard, Michael Owen looked uncomfortable in his role as the lone striker and his departure in the second half did nothing to alleviate lingering doubts about his fitness and in particular the widely held suspicion that there may be residual problems concerning his metatarsal. However, the substitution of Owen allowed Arsenal’s Theo Walcott to make history – at 17 years 75 days he became the youngest ever England international, beating Wayne Rooney’s record by more than 5 weeks, and his brief appearance was very nearly illuminated by a goal.

But where goals were concerned, the best of them was undoubtedly supplied by the losing Hungarians. Dardai’s spectacular 55th minute strike, after Owen Hargreaves had failed to close him down, rocketed past a helpless Robinson from 25 yards.